Differences and variations of drinking water quality between the northern and southern regions of a tropical island and the indicators influenced by meteorological factors

Abstract

ABSTRACT Climate change poses a considerable threat to humanity. This study aims to explore the effects of meteorological factors on drinking water quality in urban and rural areas in the tropics. Drinking water was assessed by performing correlation and logistic regression analyses on South China from 2021 to 2023. Results showed that fluorine and chemical oxygen demand were low in the north countryside. The total bacterial count (TBC), sulfate, chloride, manganese, total dissolved solids, arsenic, ferrum, nitrate, total hardness, pH value, and turbidity in the north were higher than those in the rural south. Terminal tap water from northern rivers and southern lakes was significantly affected by meteorological factors (p < 0.05). In general, the microorganisms increased with temperature (r = 0.156–0.737) and trichloromethane (r > 0.633, odds ratio (OR) > 1). Arsenic increased with temperature in the north rural areas (OR > 1). High levels of NO3− corresponded to increased frequency of extreme rainstorms. Furthermore, trichloromethane, aluminum, nitrate, and TBC were most susceptible to extreme meteorological factors in the tropics. Fluorine from different sources showed inconsistency. Chemical types and dosing or treatment adjustments in water treatment processes may help address deteriorated water quality during extreme weather events.